Do you have questions about general driving related requirements like registration and insurance? Are you unclear about laws and restrictions related to driving? The California Department of Motor Vehicles has answers. "Save Time by Going Online," at www.dmv.ca.gov.

Q: I was recently in an accident and I was so upset I didn't think about all the information I should have gotten from the person that hit me. How do I get information on the other party?

A: Each driver involved in a collision where any person was injured or killed, or where property damage to any one vehicle exceeded $750.00 worth of property damage, must complete a Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California (form SR1) within 10 days and submit the report to DMV. The report is required even if a law enforcement officer completed a report.  You may obtain information about the other driver from the accident report that he or she submitted.

To request this information, complete a Financial Responsibility Document Request form SR 19C (it can be found at www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/sr/sr19c.htm) and mail it to: Department of Motor Vehicles, Financial Responsibility Unit, P.O. Box 942884, Sacramento, CA 942884-0884

Also available are the other driver's insurance information and a photocopy of the accident report and/or certification that the other driver in the accident was not insured (Uninsured Motorist Certificate). A $20 fee is required for each type of information requested.

Q: I'm a senior citizen and recently lost the ability to drive due to medical complications.  Where can I find information on acquiring an identification card?  Is there a fee for my new card?

A: For customers over the age of 62, the DMV offers an identification card valid for 10 years for no charge. The card looks likes a driver license, but is used for identification purposes only. The DMV will also exchange a valid license for a no-fee ID card to drivers who are no longer able to drive safely because of a physical or mental condition.  Visit (www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#idcard) on the DMV Web site for more information.

Q: How much insurance am I required to have?

A: These are the minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles (California Insurance Code §11580.1b)
•    $15,000 for injury/death to one person.
•    $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person.
•    $5,000 for damage to property.
Liability insurance compensates a person other than the policy holder for personal injury or property damage (comprehensive or collision insurance does not meet vehicle financial responsibility requirements). Check your policy or talk to your agent or broker to make sure you have sufficient liability insurance coverage for each vehicle you own. For more information on insurance requirements or details on California's Low-Cost Automobile Insurance Program, please visit www.dmv.ca.gov, click on the Vehicle Registration tab, then follow the links to the insurance page.The DMV is a department under the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, which is under the direction of Secretary Dale E. Bonner. The DMV licenses drivers, maintains driving records, registers and tracks official ownership of vehicles and vessels, investigates auto and identity-related fraud, and licenses car dealers, driving schools, and traffic violator schools. For more information about the DMV, visit www.dmv.ca.gov.